Adhesive Bead Inspection


During the body‑in‑white stage, adhesive and sealant beads on body panels must meet strict specifications for width, height, and placement. Missed, thin, or off‑path beads cause rework, noise, and water leaks that slow throughput. A vision solution uses 3D profile measurement to capture precise bead geometry and position on unfinished metal. Automated checks flag skips, voids, and bubbles to stabilize dispensing and raise first‑pass yield.

Zebra Altiz 3D Profiler Photography Website Automotive Glass Bead Inspection 4x3 3600

Validate sealant beads during body‑in‑white with 3D profile measurement and controlled illumination to boost first‑pass yield

Zebra Altiz 3D Profiler Photography Website Inspecting Automotive Sealant Bead 16x9 3600

Measure bead geometry with 3D profiles

Zebra AltiZ 3D profile sensors capture bead height and width, enabling verification of geometry, continuity, and placement in one pass. On shiny, unfinished metal found in body‑in‑white (BIW) operations, laser profile data resists glare and reveals skips, voids, and bubbles that two‑dimensional (2D) imaging can miss. The system tracks bead position to edges or holes to confirm on‑path dispensing. Integrators mount the sensor on a robot or fixed station to scan large panels, returning clear pass/fail decisions.

Software Aurora Design Assistant Bead Inspection Screenshot

Close the loop with analytics and control

Beyond pass/fail judgments, Aurora Design Assistant Software logs bead width, height, and path metrics per panel for traceability and change management. Trend analysis detects nozzle wear or viscosity shifts early, allowing parameter adjustments before defects spread. Recipe management supports different models and options, keeping inspection criteria aligned with each BIW variant. Results and images are retained for accurate, real‑time data sharing with the manufacturing execution system (MES). 

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